Now Commenting On:

Ayala opts to skip World Baseball Classic

Orioles Relievers Pedro Strop and Luis Ayala talk about having most of the 2012 bullpen back together this year

By Brittany Ghiroli

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Luis Ayala will not pitch in the World Baseball Classic for Team Mexico, and the 35-year-old righty said Tuesday he needs the rest.

"I got to get ready for the season, you know what I mean," said Ayala, who informed Orioles pitching coach Rick Adair of his decision on Monday afternoon. "Everybody wants to represent their country. It was a tough decision for me, because I played winter league but I didn't rest. So at this time in my career ... you don't want to be away, but you have to be away from that, [so] I think I need rest.

"I think it will make my performance [better during the season], to take care of myself at this time. I was so tired, had a lot of fatigue from the winter and Caribbean Series."

Ayala had pitched in the two previous Classics, in 2006 and '09, and he's coming off a Major League season in which he went 5-5 with a 2.64 ERA over 75 innings pitched. He's one of several Orioles who has been brought along slower this spring in an effort to keep them fresh over the 162-game regular season.

"I feel bad for my teammates in Mexico, but they know me," Ayala said. "I'll always represent my team in everything I do. I always love to wear the Mexico jersey, but I said, 'I'm sorry for this time, I can't represent you.'"